Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3085, Richard Drewry, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Drewry, Richard Jemima
PP. 3085
B.L.Mt. 34620-160-55
CONTENTS

78.986 70 April 19/55 chct 55
Jemima Drury and Richard Drury junr.
Private Va Mila
34620
Rev. Mar. 1.
Ann Lewis Br
Buxton
ad. 160 a's July 15/56
8 Dodge
John J Drury. Dresden. Tenn.
C. J. Drury. Nov: 7/55.
Vol D-14a

Dresden Tennessee July 10 th 1834
W I Walden Esqr
My Grand father Richard Drenny enlisted in the Revolutionary war for 6 months and served that length of time as the Records at Washington City will probably show — and never received a pension during his life he died in September 1830 — leaving a widow is his widow not entitled to a pension? and is she not entitled to the pension that he should have drawn during his life? in case he had applied for it if so you will please direct me what course to pursue in regard to it. for if she is entitled to such pension as he would have been entitled it will amount probably to something considerable.
Yours Respectfully Jno Drenny

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Tennessee Gibson County ss.
On this 9 th day of March A.D. 1843.
I personally appeared in open court before the Circuit Court of said County and State, now sitting. Richard Drennon a citizen of the County of Weakley in said State aged eighty years on the 8 th of September last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated: He entered the service as a militia-man soon after he arrived at the age of sixteen in the County of Southampton, Virginia, under Captain Mitchell in the year 1778 and served to the best of his remembrance an eight weeks tour. From the great lapse of time and the decay of memory he is unable to state the month or the day of the month on which his service commenced or closed, but he believes his first tour commenced in '78 and ended in '79. In this tour he belonged to a regiment commanded by Col. John Book Wells, and Maj. Wells perhaps a brother to the Colonel was second in command. During this tour he was marched down to the County of Nansemond or Isle of Wight he cannot recollect which and stationed for some time at a place called Meads Mill near the town of Suffolk. While at this place they were reinforced by a regiment of riflemen.

from Western Virginia, commanded by Col. Dick; and he will remember that while they were there, something like a mutiny took place in this regiment. The men asserted that their term of service had expired, and declared their determination to leave and return home at all hazards, but through the influence of the officers, it was quelled and they were induced to remain until they were relieved by other troops, from the same section of country from which they came. From Madis Mill they were marched down below Suffolk to a place called Jerico, where they remained for a considerable time during which the weather was exceedingly cold.
His second tour of service he believes was in the summer of 1779 or 80, but he cannot be certain which, nor in what month it commenced or ended, he can only state positively, it was in the summer, and that it must have been during one of the years above named, and continued about six weeks. This part of his service was in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Arthur Boykin, which was attached to a regiment under the command of Col. Benjamin Blount of Southampton County Virginia. They marched down to Blackwater Bridge, where the road crosses from Southampton bound house to Norfolk at which place they were stationed for a considerable length of time and were frequently sent out in small detachments, in various directions to annoy and hold in check the British foraging parties.
He states that his third tour of duty must have commenced he feels confident in the fall of 1781 near the close of the war. This period of his service was under the command of Capt. Howell Myroak, whose company belonged to a regiment commanded by Col. Lawrence, to the best of his recollection. He is by no means so certain as to the names of the last mentioned officers as he is in regard to those under whom he first served. He cannot possibly remember precisely in what month or on what day of the month this tour commenced or terminated, or how long it continued, but he believes it continued from six to eight weeks. They were marched down to "Harry Old Court house" where they were stationed for some time. From thence they were marched

over to Williamsburg, crossing James River at Jamestown called "Old Jamestown". At Williamsburg he saw General Washington and he believes he saw La Fayette also, but of this he is not so positive. He remembers distinctly that there was, at that place a fine band of French musicians. The troops remained at Williamsburg but a short time, and from thence were marched to Yorktown. He aided for some time in erecting the works preparatory to the siege of that place and could relate some striking incidents, which occurred there if he deemed it necessary, but he did not remain there until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Unfortunately a few days before that glorious event which it would have afforded him so much pleasure to have witnessed, he had an attack of the ague and fever which rendered him unable to perform his duties and an older brother having learned his situation came down and took his place. Being thus relieved he returned home leaving his brother to share the honors of that memorable triumph. He remembers that among the troops at Yorktown during his stay there was a troop called the "black company" or "black regiment", composed of colored people.
He further states that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State, district or Territory in this Union.
He states it proper to state further that he makes this application before the Court of Gibson, and not in the County of Wabash where he resides, because the place of his residence for the last sixteen years was until recently in the County of Gibson, and was cut off and annexed to Wabash, and the greater number of his old acquaintances, and friends who have known him longest and best and on whom he relies to prove his character for veracity and integrity, reside in Gibson County.
Richd Dreyer
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid J. B. H. Harnoncourt Clerk

We Nelson I. Keph, a Clergyman, residing in Benton Gibson County Tennessee, and John W. Crockett and Adam Huntsman formerly members of Congress from Tennessee, Moses Woodfin of Benton Gibson County Tennessee and Thomas Fite of said County and State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Dickey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we have known him for many years, and believe him to be eighty years of age. That he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
We further state that no man in our country sustains a higher reputation for veracity and integrity, and we would give as much credence to his statements on oath as to those of any man of our acquaintance.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court March 9 th 1843
J. B. McMinn Clerk " "
N. D. B. Gentry John W. Crockett Adam Huntsman M. Woodfin Thos. Fite
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant, with whom they are personally acquainted and in whose veracity they have the most unbounded confidence, was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Nelson I. Keph who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in Benton Tennessee, and that John W. Crockett, Adam Huntsman, Moses Woodfin and Thomas Fite who have also signed the same are residents

as stated in the said certificate. That they are all credible persons and their statement is entitled to the fullest credence.
Wm P. Harris Judge De
State of Tennessee Circuit Court March Term 1843 Gibson County                     J. James B. Blakemore Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County and State do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Richard Darny for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal (there being no seal of office) at office in Preston this 9th day of March A.D. 1843.
J. B. Blakemore Clerk
Answers to the several interrogatories propounded to the applicant by the Court as prescribed by the War Department (Viz;)
Answer to Interrogatory N o 1. I was born September 8th 1762.
Answer to N o 2. The record of my age is lost. It was kept in an old prayer-book owned by my mother for many years, but what became of it I do not know.
Answer to N o 3. In Southampton County Virginia.

Answer to N o 3. contingent After the close of the war I resided in the counties of Southampton and Isle of Wight in the State of Virginia until the year 1799, when I removed to Tennessee. For sixteen years past I have resided where I now do. It was in the County of Gibson in this State until by a recent act of our legislature it was cut off from Gibson and attached to the County of Weakly.
Answer to N o 4. The militia at the time I was called into service were laid off in the County into sections or divisions and were called out as occasion required by turns or in rotation. When I arrived at the age of sixteen years I was enrolled, and drew for the division to which I should belong. If my memory serves me I fell into lot N o 8.
Answer to N o 5. I do not remember that I saw any Regular officers or served with any Continental troops until I was marched to Williamsburg, where I saw General Washington and other officers whose names I cannot state. I remember distinctly that while I was at a place called Mendi's Mill we were reinforced by a regiment of Mountain riflemen as they were called; whether they were regulars or Continental soldiers or militia I cannot state positively, but presume they must have been militia from the circumstances of a meeting in that corps to which I have referred in my declaration.
Answer to N o 6. I received no regular discharge

but I received a certificates from my several Commanding officers, of services which I kept until provision was made that these certificates of service and all such should be received in payment of taxes - I then disposed of them to persons who had taxes to pay. I believe at that time I had none or very little of my own to pay.
Answer to No 7 - I am acquainted with Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Crockett, Mr. Woodfill, Doctor Kepp, Mr. Fite and many other persons whom I might name if it were necessary.
State of Tennessee ss
I William B. Harris one of the Circuit Judges in and for said State do certify that the foregoing contains the answers of Richard Denny the above named applicant for a pension to the several interrogatories which I put to him in open Court in presence of the regulations of the War Department - this 9th March A.D. 1843.
W. B. Harris Judge
I Adam Huntsman formerly a member of Congress from Tennessee do certify that the Circuit Court of Gibson County in said State is a Court of record, that the Honorable William B. Harris is the presiding Judge of said Court, and James B. Blakemore is the Clerk thereof and that the foregoing signatures of said Judge and Clerk are genuine - This 9th March 1843.
Adam Huntsman

State of Tennessee } On this 10 th day of County of Weakly } April 1853 personally
appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the county & state aforesaid Jennifer Drenny aged 84 years a resident of Weakly County in the State of Tennessee who being sworn according to Law declares that she is the widow of Richard Drenny deceased who was a private in the company commanded by Captain = in the Regiment
of = commanded by = in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain and that her said husband was drafted on or about the = day of = AD for the term of and continued in actual service in said War for the term of about 6 months and was honorably discharged on the at the time Com Wallen survey day of and to the further states that she was married to the said Richard Drenny in Davidson County Tennessee on the 22 nd day of April AD 1819 by one James Whitsett and that her name before said marriage was Jennifer Adams that her husband
died on the 12 th day of September AD 1850 that she is now a widow She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 2 nd 1853- Jennifer Drenny (seal)
M married on the 22 nd of April 1819 by the Rev Mr. T. T. Richard Drenny in the 57 th

band died on the 12 th day of September 1853 that she is now a widow
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 rd 1853-
Jemima Drennon
(Seal)
He married on the 22 nd of April 1819 by the Rev James Whitsett Richard Drennon in the 57 th year of his age to Mrs Jemima Adams Widow of Benjamin Adams Deceased in the 48 th year of her age.
J. E. Mosley (Seal)
John A. Dunning (Seal)
State of Tennessee } On this 10 th day of Wealthy County } April 1853 personally appeared before me Thomas E. Mosley and John Dunning with whom I am person- ally acquainted and whom I certify to be creditable and declare upon their oath that the above is a full true and perfect copy from the private family Record of Richard Drennon deceased and that they know the original to be in the said Richard Drennon good proper hand writing and that they are personally knowing to the said Richard and Jemima Drennons having lived together as man and wife for several years and I also certify that I am knowing to said fact of my own personal knowledge Given under my hand at office on this 10 day of April 1853
Las. E. Scrubtree
for Wealthy county Tennessee

We John J Drenny and Thomas E Mosely residents of Wealy county in the state of Tennessee upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Jennine Drenny in our pres- ence and that we believe from the appearance & statements of the applicant that she is the iden- tical person she represents herself to be John J Drenny T. E. Mosely
78.986
The foregoing declaration & affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written & I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be & that I have no interest in this claim Jas E Grubbs J.P. for Wealy county Tennessee
State of Tennessee § I E Honey clerk of Wealy Wealy county § County Court do hereby certify that Jas E Grubbs whose signature appears to the above and foregoing certificates (whose signature is genuine) is and was at the signing of the same an acting sworn and commissioned Justice of the peace for said county and state of Tenn and that full faith and credit should be given to his official acts as such
Given under my hand and seal
of office at open in Tennessee this 18 th day of April A.D. 1880 Honey clerk of said court

From the papers in the pension claim R. 3085 it appears that Richard Drewry was born September 8, 1762, and while residing in Southampton County, Vir- ginia served in the Virginia Troops, as follows-
In 1778, eight weeks under Captain Mitchel, Colonel John Book Wells; in 1779 or 1780, six weeks i under Captain Arthur Boykin, Colonel Benjamin Blount; in the fall 1781, six or eight weeks under Captain Howel Myrack, Colonel Lawrence.
He married for second time March 17, 1819, in Davidson Co.
He married Apr. 22 1819 in Davidson Co.
3-
Tennessee, Mrs. Jemima Adams, widow of Benjamin Adams.
Soldier living in Weakley County, Tennessee in 1843. He died September 12, 1850.
His widow Jemima, was allowed bountyland, on account of his services, on an application executed April 10, 1855, at which time she was eighty-four years old and living in Weakley County, Tennessee.
A grandson, John J. Drewry was living in Dresden, Tennessee in 1855. No further family data on file.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
The first of this letter re John Drewry R 4314 Aug

3085
SEP 11 1912 Hist to Mrs Lucy A. Ward, Virginia Beach Va. 1927 June 17 Hist to Cong. P H Dewey awf.
P. O. _____
Richard Dewey
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

V.P. 34.620
5 Nov 1911

No 35487.
Richard Drennan Tennessee
Suspended
Let to Rich. Drennan April 24 '43 J. J. Drennan 22 nd July 1854. J. G. Simpson Nov 23/58 J. M. Drennan Feb: 5/59 John Gibbs Dec 22/59
Act 7 th June '82

Record of Richard Drewry of Va. out to Mrs Lucy A. Ward. — Virginia Beach Va.
at the request of Mrs Lucy Lockwood Removal Div.
SEP 10 1917

Poland Springs July 14 th 58
Dear Sir
I acknowledge your kindness for information in relation to allowances for R. Dreyer as a soldier of the revolution. You will now very greatly oblige me by stating to me if any allowance was ever made for Joanna Dreyer. Widow of R. Dreyer the last as by whomme drawn.
Respectfully
Jas M Dreyer
Direct to Poland Springs Meekly Co. Tenn

Poland Springs Eddy Co No 58
Dear Sir
A stranger presumes to address you. The object to ascertain if a person has ever been allowed to Re- -draw for his services as a Revolutionary soldier. I am interested in it. Have learned that it was allowed. I presume forwarded to some person. If so I should be pleased to know whom to - by making an enquiry for Mr H. forwarding to - Poland Springs you will confer a great favor on your obedient servant J. G. Simpson
P.S. Direct to Poland Springs Eddy Co Tenn. & oblige

Poland Springs. Dec 10 th 1839
Warren Office
Dear Sir
You will confer a great favor by informing me. of any amount was ever allowed. to R Denny for his services as a soldier of the Revolution. or to his Widow Jennie Denny & if so to whom was drawn. whether his wife through some one else drew. half pay for his services. if so by whom drawn. by giving information upon these points you will confer a great favor Respectfully Geo. Gibbs

Dresden Tennessee April 12 th 1855
L P Waldo Esqr Dear Sir
78986
Enclosed you will find the application of Jermina Dreary widow and relict of Richard Dreary deceased said declaration is im- perfectly written out she having forgotten the names of the officers under whom her husband served in the Revolutionary War. Therefore I transmit to you a letter I received from your department which letter evinces a knowledge on your part of a former declaration made out I think in the year 1836 by Richard Dreary for a pension. You state to me that Richard is not entitled to a pension unless we can prove 6 months services a thing I am not able to do though if you will do me the favor to examine a decla- ration made out and sworn to by Richard Dreary I think in the year 1836 I think you will find him as near proving 6 months services as it is possible for a man to do not to accom- plish it as is usually met with, the Land- yers in and about Washington deemed

Dresden Tennessee April 12 th 1855
L P Waldo Esqr Dear Sir
78986
Enclosed you will find the application of Jermina Drenny widow and relict of Richard Drenny deceased said declaration is imperfectly written out she having forgotten the names of the officers under whom her husband served in the Revolutionary War. Therefore I transmit to you a letter I received from your department which letter evinces a knowledge on your part of a former declaration made out I think in the year 1836 by Richard Drenny for a pension. You state to me that Richard is not entitled to a pension unless we can prove 6 months services a thing I am not able to do though if you will do me the favor to examine a declaration made out and sworn to by Richard Drenny I think in the year 1836 I think you will find him as near proving 6 months services as it is possible for a man to do not to accomplish it as is usually met with, the Land- yers in and about Washington seem

P. H. DREWRY 4TH VIRGINIA DISTRICT NAVAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
W. L. BRAGG SECRETARY
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, D. C.
15 June, 1927.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
I am trying to get information regarding the Drewry family in Southampton County, Virginia, prior to 1800, and am particularly interested in finding the War record of Major Humphrey Drewry, either in the War of 1812 or the Revolutionary War, and it has occurred to me that the records of those wars on file in your Bureau might contain some information concerning the family. I shall be very glad, therefore, if you will have them searched and furnish me with any information that they may contain regarding the Drewry family.
Thanking you for your kindness in this matter, I am,
Very truly yours,
P. H. Drewry P. H. Drewry.
o p o

R. 3085
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Richard Drennan a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1778 8 weeks Mitchell John Book Wells Va.   1779 or 80 6 " Arthur Boykin Benj Blount   fall 1781 6 or 8 " Howel Myricks Lawrence  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Southampton Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, March 9, 1843
Residence at date of application, Weakley Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application, b. Sept. 8, 1762. Died Sept. 12, 1820
Remarks: Soldier's claim for pension was rejected as he did not prove that he rendered 6 mos service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied. He mar Apr 22 1819 in Davidson Co. Tenn. Mrs. Fanny Adams wid of Benjamin Adams. She was allowed bounty land on acct of soldier's service, upon an ap. ex. Apr. 10, 1842 at which time she was 84 yrs old and a res of Weakley Co. Tenn. A grandson Fno J Drennan res, lived in Dresden Tenn in 1855. No further family data.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

78986.

Pension Office July 22 nd 1834,
Sir,
Yours of the 10 th inst. in relation to the claim of Richard Dreury, of Tennepse, has been received. Richard made application for a pension, under act from 7 th 1832, but his claim was not allowed because he failed to prove as much as six months services. His widow will be entitled to his pension, and also on her own account, if she can prove he served as long as six months. She must also shew the date of his marriage to her, and of his death, and her identity as his wife. I send you forms of application out of which you can select the one suitable to the widow's case, for your instruction.
I am Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt,
John F. Dreury, Esq. Dresden, Tennepse.
J. P. Mearns Commissioner

Fronton Ferrufino March 18 th 1843
Sir:
I have the honor herewith to transmit the Declaration and proof of Mr. Richard Dreyery for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832, to which I beg to ask your favorable consideration. He is one of our most worthy and highly esteemed citizens, and no one here entertains any doubt of his having served in the Revolution.
Please communicate the result of his application to him. Write to Dresden Ferrufino, Care of John Dreyery Esq.
Very Respectfully,
Sir Your Ob t . Serv t !
John W. Crockett
James L. Edwards Esq.,
Com r &c
Pension Office
War Dept
Washington
D.C.